A bike ride is a great way to get your heart pumping. In the Active Adult Communities, you will see lots of people headed up to the recreation center on their bikes, many of the communities have bicycle paths in and around the community as well. Making the 55+ communities a great place to get on your bike and get moving.

A few of the Best communities with additional bike paths and trails close by…

Trilogy at Vistanciain Peoria has bicycle friendly streets and the Discovery Trail a 3.5 mile paved nature trail system meandering thru the Master Planned Community of Vistancia.

There is something more than majestic to mountain views. They draw us to them like any aspect of nature. They help us stay calm, focused and centered. It is not surprising that people love a home that has a beautiful view of the Mountains.

The challenge is building homes on a hillside is much costlier than building on flat land.

Most of the Phoenix area Valley of the Sun is flat as well. We do have Mountains surrounding the city. Where will you have the best chance of having magnificent Mountain Views? In the communities closest to the biggest mountains.

The most significant mountains in the area are to the north and east of Phoenix; Tonto National Forrest, and Superstition Mountains. There are a few other notable mountains scattered around as well.

This next group have fewer homes with mountain views, but views are available. I then would go to Canta Mia next to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and Sun City Festival with views of the White Tank Mountains. Lastly I include Solera at Jonson Ranch located next to the San Tan Mountains.

The main factor in picking these communities was how quickly you could ride out of the city traffic, and get into some delightful small, and scenic roads. That means most of these communities are on the outer edges of the city.

Talking with a Farmers Insurance Agent, I discovered there are discounts for most of the Active Adult Communities in the Greater Phoenix Valley. Call your agent, or Barb for more information on getting your discounts.

This is a question I had to know the answer. If your not making a mortgage payment and every month a little of your equity is getting used up… how long does that take? And what happens if the loan becomes upside down? Do I have to pay it back?

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program offers people who are a min of 62 years of age (actually only one of you needs to be 62) the opportunity to purchase your home with as little as 40% cash down payment and never make a mortgage payment again.

This can make getting your dream retirement home a reality. You won’t need to put all your cash into the purchase of your home. Leaving you with more for living.

I sit down with Jacqui Hamilton a specialist in HECM loans to discuss what they are and the benefits.

If you are about to turn fifty-five years old, there’s a good chance you’re thinking about where to go and what to do when you retire.

Thousands of people just like you have already made the leap, and many of them are enjoying life in active adult community. On the beach, in the mountains, in the desert, wherever you have envisioned for your retirement, it’s waiting!

Irene A. Hammond is a veteran real estate agent who prides herself on helping people find the perfect place to retire. She answers the questions you have been pondering and brings up other details for consideration. Get the answers to questions such as:

Is an active adult community right for me?

What are the benefits of a large or a small community?

Is it easy to make new friends in these communities?

Should I purchase a new build or purchase a resale home?

What is Estate Planning?

She also explains how you can be younger than 55 and still live in an active adult community, any fees you should know about, when is the best time to visit one of the communities, and common activities. Attorney Leanne B. Martin has written a bonus chapter on estate planning, trusts and wills.

Here is the guidance you need to enjoy the lifestyle you crave, with the active adult community insights in Retirement Isn’t Boring

Now available! through Lulu Publishing soon available at your favorite online retailer.

If you are about to turn fifty-five years old, there’s a good chance you’re thinking about where to go and what to do when you retire.

Thousands of people just like you have already made the leap, and many of them are enjoying life in active adult community. On the beach, in the mountains, in the desert, wherever you have envisioned for your retirement, it’s waiting!

Irene A. Hammond is a veteran real estate agent who prides herself on helping people find the perfect place to retire. She answers the questions you have been pondering and brings up other details for consideration. Get the answers to questions such as:

Is an active adult community right for me?

What are the benefits of a large or a small community?

Is it easy to make new friends in these communities?

Should I purchase a new build or purchase a resale home?

What is Estate Planning?

She also explains how you can be younger than 55 and still live in an active adult community, any fees you should know about, when is the best time to visit one of the communities, and common activities. Attorney Leanne B. Martin has written a bonus chapter on estate planning, trusts and wills.

Here is the guidance you need to enjoy the lifestyle you crave, with the active adult community insights in Retirement Isn’t Boring

The newest Pulte Active Adult Living Community is Lone Tree. Located in Chandler, the small community of only 72 homes, is adjacent to the older Pulte communities of Solera and Springfield Lakes which adjoin the Lone Tree Golf Course. Lone Tree is unique, not only for its’ intimate size, but that the only amenity besides being gated, is a reduction in fees to use the Lone Tree Golf Course. The residents will not have reciprocal use of the Solera/Springfield Lakes clubhouses and amenities. The target homeowner is one who may still be working in the valley or perhaps with already established community activities and who just wants age restrictive surroundings, the security of a gated community and a beautiful new Pulte home. The first residents will be moving into their new homes in April of 2016 and community completion is expected within the year.

Located west of Luke Air Force Base, south of the White Tank Mountains and north of I-10 in Buckeye, Victory is the newest Active Adult Community in the southwest Valley of The Sun.

It is located in the all age master planned community of Verrado. The concept of locating a 55+ Active Adult Community within a multi-generational one is not new, but is gaining rapidly in popularity. Victory offers the home designs of four different builders.

Each of the builders is well established in Arizona and each emphasizes a different lifestyle.

Standard Pacific designs a home with the kitchen and the activity it creates encouraged to flow to the outdoors and utilizes the great room concept to facilitate this.

T.W.Lewis features what they call Open Concept Living. This utilizes the courtyards and patios as part of the living space. They are known for their attention to detail and luxurious lifestyles.

Lennar is featuring their Next Gen living style. They have created a perfect two family integrated but separate home! This is so much in demand with today’s return to a multiple family lifestyle with two generations back under one roof.

Maracay has created the Freedom Line, with split masters, wider hallways and doorways and more conveniently placed appliances to meet the needs of a handicapped family member.

With the four builders, Victory truly offers something for every over 55 person looking to continue living their active lifestyle in a resort setting.